This is what I heard this morning, not 10 feet into my inaugural mountain bike ride in Cherokee Park. Had I not been a seasoned veteran of bicyclists this could have been extremely disheartening. However having spent the last 20 some odd years around morons on bikes, I already know elitist douche bags on bicycles are plentiful if not in complete over population of the bike industry. I didn't even look back to see the guy that said it. This did however provide a quick realization of the differences in bike riding genres if you will. This being, strangely enough, that BMX has got to be the most supportive, encouraging and welcoming of all.
What I'm trying to get at here is there's really no reason to be such an asshole about anything bike related. We're all grown ass men riding bicycles and playing in the dirt for fuck's sake. Get over it. Everyone started somewhere and I'm always amazed at how quickly people forget this.
how'd i miss this? but now i'm going to vent.
ReplyDeletei am happy when i'm pedaling (not so much most of the rest of the time) so i wave at every cyclist i see and if i'm able i exchange pleasantries. when i moved to louisville i felt unwelcome in this two wheeled clique and its only been in the last year or so that i've forced my way in. most of the reader here work at/own/are loyal to one or a few shops. i spread my business around like a slut with herpes. if i have a bag experience with a rider and see a sticker for shop 'X' i don't shop there period. i ride my 'cross bike on the street with platform pedals, jeans and a t-shirt, don't tell me my bike is too nice for me, i already know it is. you don't need to point it out. just ride past and wave (or don't) in your calistoga jersey. i'll see you this fall.
moral: wave, your aren't training for TDF a simple three finger off the hoods will do.
couldn't agree more zach
ReplyDeletelol...and i thought i was the only one who felt this way. one time it pissed me off so much, that i turned around and caught up with the guy until he said "hello" back.
ReplyDeletecase in point Jimmy... i'm at the mayors hike and bike. i'm SITTING on my bike with my helmet on my handle bars. some asshole from the LBC walks up and says, "lot a good that helmet will do on those handle bars." i look at my friends and i'm like, "really?! i mean, i guess i could fall over and bump my head."
i was pretty shocked at the arrogance that many roadies/mtb'ers have. i posted a question on where there were 4x or dual slalom races...not a peep. not a heads up to go to pinkbike.com or anything like that...
anywho...just ride, pop wheelies and do all the skidding you want man! you're right about bmxers though...
I like to tear into a herd of group riders, full-bore, that arent't stopping for a stop sign as they smugly turn noses up because I'm solo.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our little ways of dealing with the Alpha Betas and this nerd gets revenge!